When the prayer ended, the band played Dixie, the war-song of the South, with whose strains the old soldiers had so often been thrilled as they marched into battle. Then there was a great noise which at last wore itself away, and General Early rose and spoke a few words of cheer to the old soldiers.
The orator of the day was Colonel Archer Anderson, who pictured scene after scene in the life of General Lee with great force and clearness. Again the grand hero seemed to live and act in their midst—to lead them on to victory or to teach them how to bear defeat.
When the speaker took his seat, amid cheers, General Joseph E. Johnston arose and with two old soldiers marched to the base of the monument. Each of the soldiers carried a battle flag, tattered and torn by shot and shell. When the monument was reached, General Johnston pulled the rope, and one part of the veil fell off. Another pull brought off the rest of the veil, and the splendid statue was in plain view of the eager multitude. A score of old soldiers mounted its base and waved their old Confederate flags in loyal, eager love for their dead chief. Mighty cheers broke from the watching throng, like the wild breaking of a storm, but at last they died away.
Up there, against the blue sky, kissed by the rays of the setting sun, in the midst of his own people, was the matchless face and form of Lee.
Some wept, others shouted, but all thanked God that he had given to America such a son as Lee.
Seldom had men looked on such a scene before. At last the crowd went slowly away, leaving their hero in bronze to keep silent watch over the city he loved so well. Beneath him were the homes of his friends, and beyond, in “Hollywood” and “Oakwood,” Richmond’s “cities of the dead,” were the graves of his fallen heroes, and far away, across and a-down the James, were his battlefields.
As time rolls on, statue and city will pass away. But the name and virtues of Robert E. Lee will never die, for they are written in the history of his country and in the Book of Life, and will live beyond the shores of Time.
Monsieur (mōsyur′), a French word for Mr. Sincēré′, honest. Acknowledge (aknŏl′eg), to own a gift or favor. Pōt′ent, strong, having power. Sĭd′ney, an English patriot. Bayard (bā′yär′), a French hero. Pā′triot, one who loves his country.
Tell about— A great honor paid to Lee. The laying of the corner-stone. The monument. The parade. The unveiling. The undying fame of Lee.